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NAW is having a career year. I am legit starting to wonder if he even would stay with the Wolves next year. I see him as a starting quality 2/3 hybrid who can play emergency PG. He costs 4 and change this year but expires next year. You trade for him with a promise of a real bag and a starting spot. That bag might be 15 it be 20, I would be shocked if it was above 20. Remember that the Wolves are second apron and they need to bring back the same or less money.

Knecht for NAW+SRP?

zimpy27 wrote:Knecht for NAW+SRP?

I like it. I doubt it would be a good second, but I see the appeal for both teams. I do kinda wish it happened before we got DDV as they are kinda redundant. But I see the appeal for sure. How is his defense?

winforlose wrote:

zimpy27 wrote:Knecht for NAW+SRP?

I like it. I doubt it would be a good second, but I see the appeal for both teams. I do kinda wish it happened before we got DDV as they are kinda redundant. But I see the appeal for sure. How is his defense?

Well he makes rookie errors on defense, his body is able though so it does seem like he can be taught to not be the weakest link. He's a great scorer though, excellent shooter.

Main appeal is contract is cheap and locked in for 3.5 years for Wolves.

zimpy27 wrote:

winforlose wrote:

zimpy27 wrote:Knecht for NAW+SRP?

I like it. I doubt it would be a good second, but I see the appeal for both teams. I do kinda wish it happened before we got DDV as they are kinda redundant. But I see the appeal for sure. How is his defense?

Well he makes rookie errors on defense, his body is able though so it does seem like he can be taught to not be the weakest link. He's a great scorer though, excellent shooter.

Main appeal is contract is cheap and locked in for 3.5 years for Wolves.

100%. I watch us struggle with spacing and consistent shot making, and Knecht is definitely a help with that. Also he could play a 5 out with Ant/Kneckt/DDV/Naz/Miller if he and Miller develop well. Obviously this is more about next year and not a starting lineup, but it has some interesting applications for Ant. Meanwhile NAW instantly helps your defense and provides you another corner 3 point weapon. I really do see the appeal for both sides.

Knecht is an overpay for a guy you have half a year of control over. The issue with NAW trades is Minny wants help now or value they can flip for value. But he simply can't hold as much in trade value as he holds in on court value for them now. So they are better off holding him rather than dealing him for a 2nd or two.

A summer after Naji, DJJ, Caleb Martin, Okoro, etc couldn’t get the MLE - I wouldn’t bank on him getting paid 15-20.

But if he actually is a starter in the league and Minn knows they aren’t willing to go to the MLE to keep him? I think Zimpy’s offer might be one of the better ones.

If Philly is willing to pay him, doesn’t he slot in nicely there? Desperately needs a third team but you could make a deal with KJ going to a third team pretty easily. Philly has the room to do like Gordon and “Bona” for NAW, with some minor asset going to Minnesota and some third team involved getting Jingles and cash?

jayjaysee wrote:A summer after Naji, DJJ, Caleb Martin, Okoro, etc couldn’t get the MLE - I wouldn’t bank on him getting paid 15-20.

His comp is closer to KCP imo. I think 15M is def within reach for him

jayjaysee wrote:A summer after Naji, DJJ, Caleb Martin, Okoro, etc couldn’t get the MLE - I wouldn’t bank on him getting paid 15-20.

But if he actually is a starter in the league and Minn knows they aren’t willing to go to the MLE to keep him? I think Zimpy’s offer might be one of the better ones.

If Philly is willing to pay him, doesn’t he slot in nicely there? Desperately needs a third team but you could make a deal with KJ going to a third team pretty easily. Philly has the room to do like Gordon and “Bona” for NAW, with some minor asset going to Minnesota and some third team involved getting Jingles and cash?

I started a poll asking that question on the Wolves board. I honestly don’t know if he is a starter or not. I know he is having a great season. I believe he would be in the running for an all defense if he gets enough minutes in enough games to qualify (of course he has to stay healthy for that.) Texas Chuck isn’t wrong that NAW has a half of season worth of value left and that is valuable for us. I just feel that if we cannot keep NAW we have talent to develop behind him (TSJ or Jaylen Clark, or maybe acquire someone new.)

I don’t know enough about Bona to know his fit. I know we wouldn’t want Gordon.

Godaddycurse wrote:

jayjaysee wrote:A summer after Naji, DJJ, Caleb Martin, Okoro, etc couldn’t get the MLE - I wouldn’t bank on him getting paid 15-20.

His comp is closer to KCP imo. I think 15M is def within reach for him

If he’s as good as KCP was a few years ago, then you don’t trade him. Cut costs else where to keep him, including DDV..

I don’t think he’s at that level personally, but if he is - a playoff run with him is worth more than he’ll likely return.

Godaddycurse wrote:

jayjaysee wrote:A summer after Naji, DJJ, Caleb Martin, Okoro, etc couldn’t get the MLE - I wouldn’t bank on him getting paid 15-20.

His comp is closer to KCP imo. I think 15M is def within reach for him

I think 15-20 is his range, but I don’t know if he demands to start (like Tyus,) or if he is cool with 6th man. If he is, he might stay for us, but if not, I do think some teams would start him.

winforlose wrote:

jayjaysee wrote:
If Philly is willing to pay him, doesn’t he slot in nicely there? Desperately needs a third team but you could make a deal with KJ going to a third team pretty easily. Philly has the room to do like Gordon and “Bona” for NAW, with some minor asset going to Minnesota and some third team involved getting Jingles and cash?

I don’t know enough about Bona to know his fit. I know we wouldn’t want Gordon.

This Philly idea would definitely be about the mystery value add on. But Bona being on a 2nd round exemption contract is a nice bonus to get 3 below vet-min years out of a roster spot and hope Rudy wears off on him..

And if you don’t want to use the roster spot on Eric Gordon, then I guess you just send him to Detroit instead of involving Jingles…

On a bigger scale..

If you added NAW to Randle, what does Minnesota look for? Any team that would add Randle, should be interested in adding NAW right? They play really well off each other and teams like Det, SAS, Charlotte.. maybe helps Minnesota get the asking price for Randle.

Would a Denver/Minn deal work? Similar to Philly, Denver has the room under the apron to do a two for one and backfill the roster spot and maybe they take the chance on keeping him or learn from their mistake of losing KCP (and Brown) and are willing to jump the apron for 1-2 years or so?

Use Holmes or Watson or Stawther? Seems like you could build something.

Godaddycurse wrote:

jayjaysee wrote:A summer after Naji, DJJ, Caleb Martin, Okoro, etc couldn’t get the MLE - I wouldn’t bank on him getting paid 15-20.

His comp is closer to KCP imo. I think 15M is def within reach for him

I think there is a pretty good chance that NAW re-signs in Minnesota for a little bit above the non-taxpayer MLE. If I had to bet, I'd say that to start next season NAW and Naz Reid are still with the Wolves and Randle is not.

(Everyone brace to hear me gush over a player!)

I am extremely high on NAW, and I don’t think people realize yet how good NAW has been in Minnesota.

He’s leading the club in +/- at +110, despite having a bench role.

He was the best in the NBA last year at screen navigation on defense. He has All NBA Defense ability. Ask Booker. Jamal Murray still hasn’t recovered.

He is in the 100th percentile in 4-man groups

All the years I’ve spent here tell me that it’s GM 101 to trade him now. Having a great season. UFA next year. Roster crowding at his position. Cheap contract.

But what holds me back is that not only is he incredibly valuable to MIN, even in his under-utilized role, but he could be the key piece to put a rival over the top. For instance, I shudder to think what the Nuggets would look like with NAW playing the KCP role!

jayjaysee wrote:

Godaddycurse wrote:

jayjaysee wrote:A summer after Naji, DJJ, Caleb Martin, Okoro, etc couldn’t get the MLE - I wouldn’t bank on him getting paid 15-20.

His comp is closer to KCP imo. I think 15M is def within reach for him

If he’s as good as KCP was a few years ago, then you don’t trade him. Cut costs else where to keep him, including DDV..

I don’t think he’s at that level personally, but if he is - a playoff run with him is worth more than he’ll likely return.

There is truth in this.

jayjaysee wrote:Would a Denver/Minn deal work? Similar to Philly, Denver has the room under the apron to do a two for one and backfill the roster spot and maybe they take the chance on keeping him or learn from their mistake of losing KCP (and Brown) and are willing to jump the apron for 1-2 years or so?

Use Holmes or Watson or Stawther? Seems like you could build something.

Maybe, but if I’m the Wolves I want him out East, or on team like LAL that I am confident we can beat. Helping Denver hurts us in a way helping LAL doesn’t.

jayjaysee wrote:Would a Denver/Minn deal work? Similar to Philly, Denver has the room under the apron to do a two for one and backfill the roster spot and maybe they take the chance on keeping him or learn from their mistake of losing KCP (and Brown) and are willing to jump the apron for 1-2 years or so?

Use Holmes or Watson or Stawther? Seems like you could build something.

For the record, there were several rumors leading up to the draft that Tim Connelly really liked Holmes, and those rumors were strong enough that DEN traded up to get him before MIN’s pick. There could be some realism in this kind of trade.

Personally, I think Connelly has demonstrated his scouting background by frequently identifying nba talent later in the draft. However, I’m not a fan of how much he overcommits resources to those views. I would not be in favor of that deal, especially after the injury, but it wouldn’t shock me if it happened.

I want him on the Raptors as a non-tax MLE signing since we need wing defence (and this sort of thing looks promising come 2026-27:

Poeltl-2026 1st
Barnes-Mogbo
TRADE-Agbaji
NAW-Walter/Dick
Quickley-2025 1st

and something like an expiring RJ Barrett + Dick/Walter + 2026 Raptors/Pacers 1st and some future 1st for a better starting wing than RJ to cap off the rotation (or add in Quickley or Poeltl if it's for a PG or C making like 50-60M).

But if I was Minnesota, I'd probably see if he would promise to stay if we match the MLE, then look at trading DeVincenzo and Conley for a rookie contract/cheap-ish PG and an expiring, even if it's a 3 way. Someone has to offer solid value for DDV, right? Though looking around, I don't see the solid 10M veteran PG you'd want in this deal.